Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday hailed his Communist Party’s zero Covid policies and graft crackdown as he opened a five-yearly Congress at which thousands of delegates were set to rubber stamp his bid to rule for a historic third term.
In an opening address lasting about 100 minutes, Xi promoted and defended a wide range of policies under his rule and said the Congress was taking place at a “critical moment” for the country.
“The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China is a very important congress convened at a critical moment when the whole party and the people of all ethnic groups are embarking on a new journey of comprehensively building a modernised socialist country and marching towards the second centenary goal,” Xi told delegates at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.
Xi hailed Hong Kong’s transition from “chaos to governance” while condemning what he said was interference in Taiwan. “The situation in Hong Kong has achieved a major transition from chaos to governance,” Xi said, while vowing a “major struggle against separatism and interference” in the self-ruled island of Taiwan.
China must ensure Hong Kong is ruled by patriots and China will support Hong Kong in integrating with the mainland, Xi said. “One country, two systems” is the best system for Hong Kong and must be adhered to in the long run, he said.
Xi vowed China would “never commit to abandoning the use of force” when it comes to the issue of Taiwan.
“Resolving the Taiwan issue is a matter for Chinese people themselves, and must be resolved by Chinese people alone. We will adhere to striving for the prospect of a peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and greatest efforts, but will never commit to abandoning the use of force, and reserve the option to take all necessary measures,” Xi told Communist Party delegates.